High School Football: Cheltenham shuts out Norristown

CHELTENHAM — Outlined against a blue-gray November sky, three Golden Panthers ran roughshod over Norristown High. On a day that saw below-freezing wind chill and the flag blowing straight out all game, Cheltenham High used the tandem of Mark Thompson, Ryan Phillips and Greg Morris to down the visiting Eagles, 21-0, in a game that more resembled a Saturday sandlot game than a PIAA contest.

Cheltenham High, thanks to Hurricane Sandy, had no power still yesterday. The game had been postponed from Friday night to take advantage of daylight. Of course, without power, there was no scoreboard information and no clock, the time being kept by the officials on the field. There were no bands, no anthem, and just a few dozen hearty fans from both schools who braved the bitter cold to see their teams.

“It did seem like that,” said NHS coach E. J. Smith of the resemblance to a pick up game. “Just two football teams playing on a Saturday afternoon.”

Unfortunately for Norristown, Cheltenham did most of the playing. The Eagles lost the ball on the first play of the game when Mike Brown fumbled after a six-yard gain. From the NHS 36, the Panthers took immediate advantage. Phillips rushed for a 26-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead about midway through the first quarter.

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Norristown’s problems continued on the next series when Greg Hargray’s punt was tipped for a one-yard loss. After recovering a Phillips fumble, the Eagles gained their only first down of the half, but could go no further. This time Hargray’s punt traveled three yards. His third kick on the next Eagle possession traveled 26 yards, but only out to the NHS 45. Basically, the entire first half was played in Norristown’s half of the field. The offense couldn’t get going, but the defense was able to keep Cheltenham from scoring until midway in the second period, when Phillips ran off for another long score, a 36-yard sprint over left tackle and a 14-0 lead.

Phillips ran for 80 yards in the game and two touchdowns. Backfield mate Thompson ran for 102 yards. Morris would add 61 yards and a third touchdown.

“They’ve got some very skilled kids,” Smith said. “(Thompson) can play. They got a little momentum going and did a real good job.”

Norristown held fast on an 11-play Panther drive that opened the third quarter. Cheltenham reached the NHS nine before the Eagles broke up a Mark Heimann pass in the end zone. They stopped the next Panther drive when Shawn Bussey recovered a Phillips fumble.

They just could not get their offense going. Norristown didn’t complete a pass except for the halfback pass intercepted by Cheltenham’s Ahjavon Patrick. That came after Morris’ four-yard run made the score 21-0, late in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles managed just 71 yards rushing with Curtis Pardea picking up 57 of them.

“We just couldn’t get going offensively,” said Smith. “Give them credit. They were around the ball quite a bit. And the way the wind was blowing, we weren’t able to pass the ball.”

Norristown closes out the season next Saturday at home against neighboring Methacton.